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26 June 2012

Looking after your skin

Ever since I was younger my mum has always told me the following things about looking after my skin; Always drink plenty of water, never sleep in your make up and whenever you cleanse & moisturise don't ever neglect your neck and neckline areas. Sure I didn't always follow this advice in my 'younger' years but since my teenage days I've followed the rules to a T. I drink 4L of water a day, never sleep in my make up..ever and have a 3 step face cleaning routine that I follow each night. Doing all of this & more, I sadly however have been battling a mild case of almost adult acne for the past 8 months. It wasn't until I read on Delighted Momma's blog about skin zones that I have managed to start combating the problem. My skin was reacting in zones 11, 13 & 12 - the reasons? A hormonal imbalance (which was confirmed by a Doctor) and from extensive dental work (my major jaw surgery). Learning the zones though has helped me battle through my skin problems so much & I think it so important you know what your skin is trying to tell you if you're getting targeted break outs. Here is the face mapped out - pick the zone area you have trouble with and find the number and explanation below (& some tips to help you get on top of your skin problems in your trouble areas (p.s I found the best website with all of this information here - although almost every single one says the exact same thing).

Zones 1 & 3

Traditionally, this zone is regarded as the "sister" to the bladder and digestive system. If you breakout frequently in this area, it might mean that you need to improve your elimination by drinking more water and eating more "whole" foods.

Be sure to properly remove all make up and cleanser (paying close attention to the hairline

Zone 2

The middle of the forehead, between the eyebrows, is related to the liver. Congestion in this zone can indicate over consumption of alcohol, rich foods, and possibly a food allergy (such as lactose intolerance).

TIPS

When tweezing hairs in this area, be sure to use sanitized tweezers (and try to avoid too much touching with the fingertips, as this can increase oil production).

Zones 4 & 10

The ears are a highly sensitive area related to the kidneys. If you notice that your ears are very hot, you might be stressing them out – drink plenty of plain water and cut down on caffeine and alcohol.

TIPS

Make certain to keep your phone or headset clean.

Be sure to properly rinse out shampoo / conditioner around this area.

Zones 5 & 9

The cheeks often give an accurate glimpse into any respiratory distress. Smokers or people suffering from allergies generally experience fine, broken capillaries or congestion in this area.

TIPS

Ensure that your make up does not contain comedogenic ingredients.

Make certain to keep your phone or headset clean.

Zones 6 & 8

The eyes are truly a window to the body's health because they're related to the kidneys. Dark circles , while often hereditary, are made worse by dehydration and poor elimination.

TIPS

Drink plenty of water.

Try laying down with a cold or lavender scented eye mask to help calm irritation.

Never go without eye cream.

Completely remove make up in this area.

Use Total Eye Care SPF 15 during the day to help conceal dark circles, help treat current lines (& prevent future damage).

Zone 7

A reddened nose can indicate heightened blood pressure, or the early stages of rosacea. Congestion around the upper lip can occur if you use comedogenic lipsticks or liners.

TIPS

Be careful if extracting blackheads at home - Poor extraction techniques can damage tissues and cause broken capillaries or damaged tissues.

Ensure that your make up does not contain comedogenic ingredients.

Use overnight cleaning gel on this area if you are experiencing excess oiliness (which is very common here).

Zones 11 & 13

If you've had extensive dental surgery done, you might notice a breakout along the jaw line, near the ears.

TIPS

Avoid resting your hand here (guilty as charged!)

Ensure that your phone stays clean (double guilty as charged)

Ensure that your make up does not contain comedogenic ingredients, and completely remove all traces of make up during cleansing.

Zone 12

Breakouts or unusual hair growth can indicate hormonal imbalance, possibly caused by extreme stress. Premenstrual breakouts are also very common on the chin.

TIPS

Try to avoid resting your hand on your chin.

Really focus on this area during cleansing and completely remove traces of cleanser.

Zone 14

Don't forget to include your neck in your treatment regimen - its skin is just as fragile as that on your face, so it definitely needs the benefits of moistuisation and sun protection.

TIPS

If you are sensitive, avoid spritzing fragrance in this area.

Don't forget sunscreen in this area.

Incorporate this area in to your cleansing routine, it is often overlooked! (Turns out mum was right all those years!)

Oh Angie I'm so glad to hear!! I remember what it was like when I first learnt about it and how it just clicked - its helped me combat skin problems ever since so if it does the same for you then I'm so glad xo

Such a fabulous post, Anna! I work in the beauty industry but you taught me quite a few things here. So interesting about the ears and kidneys. My ears have been burning quite a bit lately so I guess it's time to cut back on the alcohol :) xoxo

I know about the ear thing!!! Its funny mum alwaysss used to say as a child that if your ears were burning it meant that you were tired!! Turns out it just means you need to listen more and cut some things out - like alcohol. Its so true. Although probably one of the hardest things for me to do haha xx

This is an eye opening post! I didn't know all this. It's a bit like the ah-ha moment when a light bulb lit up in my head. I rarely get break outs these days but this information helps highlight a few that puzzled me.

Hi dear, how have you been? I have missed visiting your blog while I was away.Another excellent and informative feature. Wow, I learnt so much from this about my own skin and beauty regimes. Will have to change a few things. I think I may have to print this post out, if its fine by you?

Hi lovely!! YES I have been following your trip on your blog - you write so beautifully. You are of course more than welcome to print this out!!! You are always welcome to print things out that help you Sam xx

I love this post.. SO HELPFUL! I am avid about drinking water and washing my face. I’m actually having a break out right now (for like the past WEEK!) ... trying to figure this out. I usually break out on my chin, and Ive been trying to clean my phone like crazy.

Ahhh so the chin means hormonal or stress!! This is where I break out a LOT and went and did a spit test at the docs and found my hormones way off. I was also reallyyy cold all the time which ended up being another indication. Our health is all we've got really...without that we've got nothing so it makes sense our bodies try to tell us whats going on in obvious ways to try to help you get it back on track - your skin is one of those ways :) Glad it's been so helpful for other girls too xxx

OMG Anna! 4 Litres!!! I struggle with 2 Litres and that is me constantly on the toilet! Holy Moly!!!

Alas i suffer the exact same problem, horrible acne on the chin... Especially since becoming pregnant(Damn Hormones)!After many hours of googling i too discovered the best way to fix it is wash my face twice a day, never sleep in make up and try to avoid touching it!Some other little pointers i did find were natural remedies...Lime Juice - sounds weird, but its great. I apply when i tone and the natural acidity helps unblock those yucky pores and clears away blackheads.Aloe Vera - I apply after toning and before moisturiser, this isnt a preventative as such, but the claming and soothing reduces the redness and aids healing.Evening Primrose Oil - This is by far the best "night cream" i have found. My skin just glows when i use this as my night moisturiser.

Last but not least the important thing i have noticed is diet... When i put crap into my body, it comes out on my skin!!

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